Union JACK Selects Director Of Comedy

National digital radio station Union JACK has appointed a Director of Comedy.

Geoff Rowe is a Founding Director of the Leicester Comedy Festival, a festival that has helped to establish the careers of some of the country's most celebrated comedians.

The appointment will see Geoff supporting Union JACK in its ambition to increase its comedy credentials for both listeners and the comedy industry, introducing new radio formats and opportunities for live show production; amplifying its current comedy assets; supporting and nurturing new and established talent; presenting new opportunities and redefining what comedy on the radio can be; and strengthening the station’s link with the comedy industry.

Geoff established Leicester Comedy Festival in 1994 and has led the growth of the annual festival ever since. It is now the UK's largest comedy festival, with over 870 shows in 72 venues across 19 days. As part of the festival, Geoff has developed formats and produced live shows including Comedy in the Dark, The UK Pun Championships, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition and Hotel D'Comedie. Alongside the festival, Geoff has also been a member of the judging panel for Edinburgh Comedy Awards, So You Think You're Funny and The BBC New Comedy Award and, in 2013, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Rowe said: "I'm so excited to be undertaking this new role with the Union JACK team; I’ve always loved both radio and comedy, so combining these two passions is a fantastic opportunity. I first met the folk from Union JACK last summer and we have so much in common. The radio station and Leicester Comedy Festival each focus on celebrating great British comedy and supporting new and emerging talent, so there is a natural opportunity for me to play a role in the continued development of both."

www.unionjack.co.uk